(1) After the completion of the counting, the Returning Officer shall record in the result sheet in Form – 20 the total number of votes polled by each candidate and announce the same.
(2) After such announcement has been made, a candidate or in his absence, his election agent or any of his counting agents may apply in writing to the Returning Officer to recount the votes either wholly or in part stating the grounds on which he demands such recount.
(3) On such an application being made the Returning Officer shall decide the matter and may allow the application in whole or in part or may reject it in to if it appears to him to be frivolous or unreasonable.
(4) Every decision of the Returning Officer under sub-rule (3) shall be in writing and contain the reasons therefore.
(5) If the Returning Officer decided under sub-rule (3) to allow a recount of the votes either wholly or in part he shall-
(a) do the recounting in accordance with the rule 80 ;
(b) amend the result sheet in Form-20 to the extent necessary after such recount ; and
(c) announce the amendments so made by him.
(6) After the total number of votes polled by each candidate has been announced under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (5), the Returning Officer shall complete and sign the result sheet in Form – 20 and no application for a recount shall be entertained thereafter:
Provided that no step under this sub-rule shall be taken on the completion of counting until the candidates and election agents present at the completion thereof have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the right conferred by sub-rule (2).